Fusidic acid - Definition and Overview

Fusidic acid is an antibacterial antibiotic used particularly for eye infections. It works by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis, specifically by preventing the translocation of the elongation factor G (EF-G) from the ribosome, although it works only on gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Corynebacterium minutissimum. It was first isolated in 1962 from the fungus Fusidium coccineum, and later from Mucor ramannianus and Isaria kogana.

It is delivered as an ointment, a cream or eye drops.

Brand names

• Fusidin (of Leo in Canada)
• Fucidin
• Fucithalmic (of Leo in UK and Denmark)

Reference

• RxMed Monograph (http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20(General%20Monographs-%20F)/FUCIDIN.html)
• Synthesis of photoreactive fusidic acid analogues for binding studies with elongation factor G (http://www.ismc2004.dk/index.php/Poster_326__Synthesis_of_photo/469/0/)